Just over 50 students attended “Defiance,” the second screening of Sinclair’s inaugural film festival—Sinclair Screenings.

"Defiance" is the story of Jewish brothers in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe. On the run and hiding in the deep forests of the then German-occupied Poland and Belorussia (World War II), the three Bielski brothers find the impossible task of foraging for food and weapons for their survival. They live, not only with the fear of discovery—contending with neighboring Soviet Partisans and knowing whom to trust—but also take the responsibility of looking after a large mass of fleeing Polish Jews from the German war machine. Women, men, children, the elderly and the young alike are all hiding in makeshift homes in the dark, cold and unforgiving forests in the darkest times of German-occupied Eastern Europe.

This adaptation of a true story was very powerful and a perfect choice for the annual Holocaust Remembrance events. The Sinclair Holocaust Remembrance Committee was formed in 1987. Its purpose is:

to encourage the study of the Holocaust

to foster understanding between different cultures

to work against racism and ethnic prejudice

Since its inception, this committee annually brings quality speakers and programs to Sinclair to achieve its purpose. All of the events hosted by this committee are free and open to the public.

In addition to the film screening, the committee, chaired this year by Sean Frost, has also held a student fine art exhibit, will host a keynote address by Executive Director of the Jewish Partisans Educational Foundation Mitch Braff, and will hold a workshop for teachers and education majors. For more information about upcoming events, please visit the Holocaust Remembrance Organization webpage.

The third and final film of Sinclair Screenings will be the Oscar-nominated “The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” on Tuesday, May 11. This screening will feature a discussion with the film’s directors, Julie Reichert and Steve Bognar. This screening is also free and open to the public.